Major car maker reveals it will build two new EVs at UK factory – protecting thousands of jobs
A MAJOR car maker has revealed that it will build two EVs at its UK factory.
Motors giant Nissan made the announcement after "months of talks" with the government.
Sources told that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Chancellor Jeremy Hunt were personally involved in the intense negotiations.
The result is that the Japanese company has committed to building three as-yet-unnamed electric car models at its plant in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear.
The new motors will replace the popular Qashqai, the Juke and Leaf EVs, the latter of which is already built in Sunderland.
The plan could also see a new electric battery "gigafactory" built in the area to supply the plant.
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This will see investment in the area nearly treble to £3 billion, the brand revealed.
Nissan will channel £1.1 billion into the project, with the other £2 billion expected to be contributed by the battery supplier that will operate the gigafactory, set to be AESC.
This will form the basis of the company's push towards net zero by 2030.
The decision is a huge boost to the nation's car industry and should secure the 6,000 jobs at the factory in the North East.
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However, it may come at a cost as one source said that the deal relied on a funding guarantee from the government.
There is, as yet, no confirmation on how much taxpayer cash will go into the project and it is not known whether any will have to be provided up front.
It is also unclear how long the supposed funding agreement would run for and how many cars are set to be produced.
Nonetheless, in his Autumn Statement, the Chancellor committed to channelling £4.5 billion into British manufacturing from 2025.
Nissan's chief executive, Makoto Uchida, said that the decision put the Sunderland site "at the heart of our future vision".
He added: "Exciting, electric vehicles are at the heart of our plans to achieve carbon neutrality.
"With electric versions of our core European models on the way, we are accelerating towards a new era for Nissan, for industry and for our customers."
And the PM hailed the project as a "massive vote of confidence in the UK's automotive industry".
He said: "This venture will no doubt secure Sunderland’s future as the UK’s Silicon Valley for electric vehicle innovation and manufacturing."
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It comes after there was relief for drivers in the Budget as the fuel duty freeze remained in place.
Meanwhile, an MOT mechanic shared a little-known tyre tip that could save you hundreds in the winter.